Work longer for the pension: is that the solution? The situation in the morning

Good morning, dear readers!

Did you have a nice weekend? I hope you could leave the work. But if after Minister of Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche, it could soon be the case. She demands that we will have to work more and longer in the future.

“The demographic change and the increasing life expectancy make it essential: the working life has to rise,” said the CDU politician of the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”. “In any case, it cannot go well in the long run that we only work two thirds of our adult life and spend a third in retirement.”

The social security systems are under pressure, says Reiche. With that she is right. And the location should tighten. The demographic change ensures that more and more people-sometimes the “Boomer” generation-retire, while fewer and fewer employees are financing pensions. At the same time, the higher life expectancy extends the retirement time. That shakes the system. Rich solution: just work longer.

A proposal that should meet Chancellor Friedrich Merz and CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann. Both had expressed themselves similarly in the past.

But not everyone in the CDU. The party’s social wing (CDA) sees rich demand critically. CDA vice Christian Bäumler said: “Anyone who, as Minister of Economy does not recognize that Germany has a high part-time quota and thus a low average annual working time, is out of place,” he said. Ouch.

There was also contradiction from the SPD, left, AfD, unions and social associations. Christoph Ahlhaus, Managing Director of the Federal Association of Medium-sized Economy, told the “Funke” newspapers that one should rely on higher productivity.

However, there was praise (surprise!) From the employer president Rainer Dulger. “Economic Minister Reiche speaks plain text-and that is a good thing. Anyone who reacts with outrage now refuses to reality,” he told the German press agency. Rich demands a comprehensive reform agent that also includes the social security systems. “50 percent social security contribution is not a promise, but a warning signal,” said Dulger. Those who remain inactive in view of the demographic change are irresponsible to future generations. “Germany has to work more again so that our prosperity still has existed tomorrow,” he warned.

After all: The debate about the stabilization of prosperity and pension system absorbs speed. Especially with the pension, the time is pushing. Otherwise the younger threatens a double load: they not only have to finance their own lives, but also the pensions of the older ones.

Who is right? Probably everyone a bit. Working longer is an approach, as is more full -time employment and higher productivity.

However, two things have to be observed. First: If you are a desk perpetrator, you may be able to hold out until 70. Hardly a caregiver. And secondly: Even if “Work-Life balance” and four-day week are demonized in the Union-without enough relaxation, employees become sick, unproductive or, in the worst case, often involuntarily.

As so often, it is so: there is no simple solution. But one thing is clear: we urgently need them.

What do you mean, dear readers? Do we really have to work more? Or are there better ways?

In Baden-Württemberg, a regional express with dozens of people derailed on board. Three people die, around 50 people are injured, 25 of them seriously. The cause of the accident was initially unclear. Apparently, however, a landslide could have played a role, said district fire chief Charlotte Ziller. Read more about this here:

The risk of a trade war between the USA and the EU is initially averted: at a top meeting in Scotland, both sides agreed on a compromise of fundamental. Trump and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed to a base customs set of 15 percent for most EU imports to the United States. According to the Leyen, this also applies to cars, semiconductors and pharmaceutical products. The agreement also laid the foundation stone to reduce tariffs to other products in the future.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) welcomed the agreement with which it was possible to “avert a trade conflict”. But is the deal for the EU? My colleague Timo Pache commented:

The devastating hunger crisis in Gaza has triggered sharp international criticism of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the past few days. Israel now grants small concessions and leaves more relief supplies into the coastal area. But that hardly changes the overall situation. The frustration of state and government heads remains great. Chancellor Merz is also thinking about a harder approach. A decision could be made today. What this is about and what is being discussed analyze star-Reporter Miriam Hollstein and Veit Medick in the “5-minute talk” podcast:

Are you drinking your morning coffee, dear readers? Does he come from a capsule machine? The coffee may taste good and awaken the spirits, but the capsules often end up in the trash and remain unrecycled. In Austria, for example, the recycling rate is only 30 percent. There you have now developed a procedure to recycle more of the small containers.

The previous problem: the coffee grounds in the aluminum capsules. Aluminum can be recycled, but the coffee makes the process difficult. One wants to change that. With a new process, you can remove coffee, oil and paints from the capsules, which are then heated under nitrogen. The aluminum residues are compressed and treated with salt. In the end, small bars are created that can be rolled into foil – for new coffee capsules, beverage cans or laptops.

I have been living in Hamburg for more than six years now. For many and especially the Hamburgers, it is the most beautiful city in the world. For me too – to Copenhagen. And each quarter has its own vibe. My colleague Lisa Frieda Cossham discovered a special attitude to life in St. Pauli:

How did you like this morning | Star? Please write it to me: rune.weichert@stern.de

I wish you a good start to the new week! Warm, you